Essex boys run rampant

May I just quickly say how nice it was yesterday to see two Essex players batting together for England, both scoring centuries. THey've been playing together since county under-13s, and while Alastair Cook got picked up for stardom quite early, we wondered whether Ravi Bopara might be one of those players whose face isn't felt to fit the national team. I guess the presence of former Essex great Andy Flower in the coaching setup has helped him in. With Foster and Napier in the England one-day / Twenty20 squad, this may be the most represented Essex has ever been.

I was trying to think when Essex might last have had two batsmen playing Tests for England. I think it would have had to be back in the early 80s, with Keith Fletcher and Graham Gooch. And they only really played one series together -- these two could be knocking out partnerships for the next 15 years.

Sadly, it'll count against Essex's chances of promotion to the first division of the County Championship: but we are prepared to make the sacrifice!